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Phillies depending on Howard to hit for power

4/9/13: Ryan Howard clubs an opposite-field solo homer off Dillon Gee to lead off the bottom of the third inning

By Todd Zolecki
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MLB.com |

PHILADELPHIA -- Ryan Howard is nicknamed "Big Piece" because he is supposed to carry the biggest bat in the Phillies lineup.

But while he entered Tuesday's game against the Pirates at Citizens Bank Park hitting a respectable .275, he has just a .377 slugging percentage. That ranked 21st out of 25 qualifying first basemen in the big leagues. He has just four doubles, one home run and six RBIs through 18 games.

Slow starts are common for Howard. He has a career .458 slugging percentage in April, which makes this his worst month. His overall slugging percentage is .548.

But a bad start this season has had Howard climbing uphill. He actually entered Tuesday hitting .357 (15-for-42) with four doubles, one home run, two RBIs, a .524 slugging percentage and an .887 OPS in his last 11 games.